“We the people, in order to form a more perfect union.” Two hundred and twenty-one years ago, in a hall that still stands across the street, a group of men gathered and, with these simple words, launched America’s improbable experiment in democracy. – Barack Obama, “A More Perfect Union (the Race Speech),” March 18, 2008, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“Today we are launching a campaign called ‘HeForShe.’ … This is the first campaign of its kind at the [United Nations). We want to try to mobilize as many men and boys to be advocates for change.” – Emma Watson, “Speech on Gender Equality,” address to the United Nations on September 20, 2014, New York, New York

“A variety of factors influence our lives to help shape within us a belief system. And our belief system determines our perspective on every issue, especially those issues in life which are most complex. Is there a God? … Is there an afterlife? Where will we go when we die?” – Pastor Randy Smith, “The Blessing of Grace,” sermon delivered to the Grace Bible Church, October 7, 2007, Allenwood, New Jersey

“Fifty thousand men died right here on this [Gettysburg] field, fighting the same fight that we are still fighting among ourselves today. This green field right here, painted red, bubblin’ with the blood of young boys. Smoke and hot lead pouring right through their bodies. Listen to their souls, men… If we don’t come together right now on this hallowed ground, we too will be destroyed, just like they were. I don’t care if you like each other or not, but you will respect each other. And maybe…. I don’t know, maybe we’ll learn to play this game like men.’’ – Coach Boone (played by Denzel Washington), pregame inspirational speech in the film Remember the Titans (2000)

“Good morning, good morning. I am Stephen Colbert and I want to thank the class of 2013 for inviting me here today…. And now, then, it is an honor to speak at your 2013 Valedictory Exercises - I believe that means I am this year’s valedictorian, and I am as shocked as you are, because I didn’t make it to many classes this year. You guys must’ve really tanked your finals, thank you for that.” – Stephen Colbert, “University of Virginia 2013 Commencement Speech,” May 18, 2013.

“Sadly, in the next 18 minutes when I do our chat, four Americans that are alive will be dead through the food that they eat. My name’s Jamie Oliver. I’m 34 years old. I’m from Essex in England and for the last seven years I’ve worked fairly tirelessly to save lives in my own way.” – Jamie Oliver, “Teach Every Child about Food,” TEDPrize speech, February 2010

We are all too familiar with the statistics. Fifty years ago, President Eisenhower warned we should import no more than 20 percent of our oil. Today we import 60 percent…. we must unshackle ourselves from the scourge of foreign oil. So how do we do that?

There are three basic steps that need to be taken. First, America is drowning in energy resources. So we must remove the regulatory constraints on the production of domestic energy. Second, we need to break oil’s monopoly as a transportation fuel… Third, we need to build an environment that will incubate the next generation of energy technologies…

Presidential Candidate Jon Huntsman (2011) on U.S. energy policy (Gunn 2017, loc. 260)

America cannot afford the status quo any longer, nor can we afford half-measures, nor can we allow reform to be derailed and delayed once again by powerful, entrenched interests. On my first day in office, I will take three immediate steps to launch a sea change in energy policy . I will direct my administration to clarify rules … Under my presidency, the United States will get out of the subsidy business. And if necessary, I will use my executive authority to act unilaterally.

Presidential Candidate Jon Huntsman (2011) on U.S. energy policy (Gunn 2017, loc. 260)